Watchfinder and their visual check for water resistance

[MiltonBaines]

I made an offer on a watch from watchfinder that was accepted but after speaking to them regarding what was done in the refurb I am concerned and am thinking of pulling out.

The salesman proudly told me how the watch was broken down to it's component pieces for the refurb, cystal removed, bezel removed, movement taken out and serviced etc. But when I enquired as to if it was pressure or water tested (the advert states "has undergone a thorough inspection of water resistance") he just said they do a visual check to make sure seals are ok, they are not replaced as a matter of course and no proper water resistance testing is done. But if I have a problem over the next year it is guaranteed.

So if my new expensive divers watch that has never been pressure tested or properly tested for water resistance gets ruined by water ingress I just return it. Surely it would be better to do a cheap, quick water pressure test before selling me a refurbed divers watch?

It just struck me as a bit amateur, and I wonder what other corners they cut during the refurb. Am thinking of just cancelling the order as I'll never be fully trusting of the water resistance of the watch from day 1 of my ownership which seems ridiculous for an expensive 'divers watch'.

Anyone else had a similar reply or had issues regarding their visual check for water resistance?

[Glideman]

Buy the seller not the watch, if you don't trust the refurb go somewhere else. At the end of the day it's your money & you need to be confident on the refurb or you will never have peace of mind.

[MYOB]

Is it a Rolex Sea Dweller, or has it got a Helium release valve?

[MiltonBaines]

just a Breitling steelfish, plenty about so I'm thinking of holding out for one from a company that actually test their divers watches properly.

[MYOB]

I have no understanding of Breitling watches and whether they require any specialist skills etc. But my understanding of Watchfinders is that they employ some very good watch-repairers.

[MiltonBaines]

I doubt breitling do anything fancy, i just would have thought that if you take a dive watch apart you then replace the seals and at minimum pressure test the watch rather than just do a visual check on a 7yr old gasket.

[kazste]

Im interested in this as well as I have just bought a watch from them and it was bought as a holiday watch, so no diving but plenty of swimming. I also assumed that there thorough inspection would be more than just visual.

im hoping that the person was mistaken and that somebody from watchfinder can clarify the issue?

[R6VED]

I bought two watches from them last year - both had to be returned almost immediately, one went back the same day it arrived.

[Glideman]

Employing people to Photoshop pictures of stock is sharp practice in my book. If I buy a watch I want to see the real thing not some faked image of it.

[HarrySmash]

R6VED said:

I bought two watches from them last year - both had to be returned almost immediately, one went back the same day it arrived.

What were the problems? Currently interested in a couple of pieces on their site

[yeti]

When I bought my vintage Sea-Dweller there, I discussed the refurb and was told it had been properly pressure tested, not simply visually inspected.

One for their thread at the top of the page?

[Miguel Alvarez]

To be fair this was a verbal conversation so not worth the paper it was written on but I remember them saying that my Sub had been pressure tested. It's been wet enough times so I doubt I misheard them.

[yeti]

Oh, and to the OP; yes I'd want my divers watch pressure tested too. It takes 5 mins which is why I don't think they would skip that step.

[MiltonBaines]

I asked a direct question to the salesman:
"has the watch been pressure tested for water resistance"?

and got a direct answer:
"no, we don't do that, as part of the refurb the seals would have been checked visually, but of course if you have a problem just bring it back to us within a year"


Pretty clear to me, let's just hope the salesman was wrong.

Either way, I cancelled my order as I had lost trust in watchfinder and was unsure as to the quality of the refurb and service performed on the watch.

[yeti]

MiltonBaines said:

Either way, I cancelled my order as I had lost trust in watchfinder and was unsure as to the quality of the refurb and service performed on the watch.

I don't blame you actually. That's no way to try and sell a divers watch.

[R6VED]

HarrySmash said:

R6VED said:

I bought two watches from them last year - both had to be returned almost immediately, one went back the same day it arrived.

What were the problems? Currently interested in a couple of pieces on their site

The first one an Omega PO Chrono stopped twice within the first week despite winding the appropriate amount and wearing - turns out this is not an uncommon fault with the particular movement. The second a Rolex GMT Coke with Jubilee bracelet arrived with damage to the crystal and crown that was obviously not caused by shipping and had not been re-sized as requested (minor)

They were very good about the whole thing and I got my shipping back (as I should, I had to push for that though) and full refunds fairly quickly.

I was just disappointed with the watches and to be honest would not risk purchasing from them a third time.

[yeti]

MiltonBaines said:

"no, we don't do that, as part of the refurb the seals would have been checked visually, but of course if you have a problem just bring it back to us within a year"

OK, I spoke to the manager of the WF&Co Boutique today;

All watches rated to that depth are pressure tested to 10 Bar (100m) with exacty the same tester (a waterpump thing of some sort) as Rolex use.

So the salesman got it wrong.

[audidoody]

FWIW: I've bought three high-end watches from WF over the years and traded two and never had a problem with them or the watches.

[neilbauer]

I bought my Breiting ti Avenger Seawolf from watchfinder. I Viewed the watch in Kent bought it and took it with me, then sent it to Breitling for a full refurb. It was a bit more expensive but got the discontinued watch I wanted in as new condition and it's been on my wrist since

[kazste]

Right then, I received my watch today as requested a Saturday delivery and almost as good as the photos. For a 12 year old cheapy tag it looks fairly brand new. Been sat at the bottom of the hot tub all day (I know first world problems and all that) and looks fairly waterproof to me.

All in all another happy purchase from them and I wouldnt hesitate to recommend or buy from them again.